Péter Szijjártó, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, said that the world is living in an age of danger.  War, terrorism, ethnic-based conflict, the spreading of extreme ideology and open references to the use of nuclear weapons means the world is facing the outbreak of a third world war.  All these conflicts point towards a world divided once again into blocs, he said, adding:  “This would be a very dangerous phenomenon.”  Hungary’s national interest is connectivity, which requires a return to mutual respect as the basis of international cooperation, he said, describing his country as a meeting point between East and West.

He discussed the impact of the war in Ukraine on his country, including 1.3 million refugees and skyrocketing food and energy prices.  Hungary favours a ceasefire and peace talks, yet it has been stigmatized by those who, had they argued for such a position from the outset, could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives.  The European Union’s failed strategy of sanctions has inflicted more harm on the European economy than on the Russian Federation, he said, adding:  “If we look at history, all wars end up around the negotiating table.”  President Donald J. Trump is the only hope for peace in Ukraine and so long as high-level talks between the Russian Federation and the United States continue, a third world war can hopefully be avoided, he said.

Hungary would rather pay a daily penalty of €1 million to the European Commission than to change its policy towards illegal migration, he continued.  Regardless of pressure from Brussels, Hungary will protect its people and decide for itself who can enter the country.  Violating borders is a crime and those who commit that crime must be punished.  He went on to say that in Hungary, the family is the basis of society, yet the institution of the family has come under attack from “aggressive gender propaganda”.  A family consists of a mother, who is a woman, and a father, who is a man; marriages are between a man and woman, and children are a blessing, he said, detailing his country’s tax incentives to encourage bigger families.